Fruit of the Contemplative Life
Fruit of the contemplative life: => General Discussion => : Jhanananda August 21, 2014, 11:46:50 AM
-
I, for one, would like to know what's going on with Jhananda. But, I suppose you will tell us if you tell us.
But, we've been busy bees here while you've been away. It's been an interesting energetical shift.
Thank-you, friends, for keeping the dialog going here, and keeping it respectful. I am sorry to have just up and left you all hanging; however, things here in Sedona, AZ, USA went from bad almost immediately upon my arrival to worse in a rather short period of time. So, I have had to retreat into the wilderness for my own health and safety. I think I might have already posted on this subject elsewhere, but I cannot at this time recall. So, I am filling you in here in the general section, so that I can find it next time.
Essentially I have become the target of 2 sociopaths, who have been controlling a paranoid psychotic. For some reason they have targeted me, but I am not sure why.
Sociopathy is an Antisocial personality disorder, a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others. This behavior is often criminal.
The first possible explanation of why I have become the target of 2 sociopaths is I was just conveniently available for abuse. Convenience is certainly part of it, because sociopaths will abuse anyone they can, because they enjoy the sufferings of others. However, I have run into sociopaths most of my contemplative life, and found they seem to target on me.
To understand why I, and other mystics become the target of sociopaths is to understand the sociopath. I find sociopaths are very hard to recognize at first. After all they are just such nice people. However, they all share one thing in common. They have a complete and total disregard for discipline. And, I believe, it is my discipline that is what makes them want to harm me.
So, friends, learn to recognize the sociopath. Learn to avoid them, because there is nothing that you can do for them, and they will do everything they can to undermine your life, and the fruitful attainments you have acquired.
-
Want to hire a hitman?
-
Want to hire a hitman?
Thanks, gandarloda, for the levity. I could use it.
I am currently back at the Sedona lab, and just spent the first night here. What a nightmare. These people have absolutely no moral discipline whatsoever, and have nothing but contempt for someone who does. I believe that the sociopath is using, and manipulating, the paranoid schizophrenic for his own purposes, which are mostly just to wreak havoc. I have had a great deal of time to reflect upon this, and connect the dots on a lot of stories here. There are evidence that link both sociopaths to a double murder here a few years ago.
Two local people are murdered in Sedona, Ariz. (http://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/two-local-people-are-murdered-in-sedona-ariz/article_a0280344-3ae1-11e1-9e40-001871e3ce6c.html)
Maricopa County sheriff's deputy killed in shootout (http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2012/01/08/20120108maricopa-county-sheriffs-deputy-shot-killed.html) Same guy.
The murders were done by an author of a new age conspiracy book, 30-year-old Drew Ryan Maras, a "UFO-ologist" (http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2012/01/drew_ryan_maras_possible_ufo-o.php) who wrote a book titled Open Your Eyes: To 2012 and Beyond, which revealed he was both paranoid and delusional. The second sociopath that I have had to deal with here, knew the author prior to the murders, and owns a signed copy of his book, "Open Your Eyes: To 2012 and Beyond."
It gets weirder, it just so happens that an older white Dodge pickup truck with a white camper was reported to be at the scene of the Sedona murders prior to the discovery of the bodies. It just so happens that the first sociopath I had to deal with owns an older white Dodge pickup truck with a white camper.
From observing these two sociopaths manipulate the paranoid schizophrenic here I believe that they have worked together before to manipulate one or more paranoid schizophrenics, so the above murders might just be murder by these sociopaths using a paranoid schizophrenic as the weapon.
Paranoid schizophrenia, also called schizophrenia, paranoid type is a sub-type of schizophrenia as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV code 295.30.[1] It is the most common type of schizophrenia.[2][3] Schizophrenia is defined as “a chronic mental illness in which a person loses touch with reality (psychosis)” .[4] Schizophrenia is divided into subtypes based on the “predominant symptomatology at the time of evaluation”.[5] The clinical picture is dominated by relatively stable, often paranoid, delusions, usually accompanied by hallucinations, particularly of the auditory variety (hearing voices), and perceptual disturbances. These symptoms can have a huge effect on functioning and can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. Paranoid schizophrenia is a lifelong illness
This morning the paranoid schizophrenic threatened to kill me, so I plan to leave shortly.
-
Jeffrey I would prefer if you did not die a martyr so I approve of you leaving. Murderers are very dangerous people. They pretend they did not kill anyone. Their dishonesty with themselves makes them very unstable.
-
I hope it isn't a female. But yeah--leave, man. I hope you're in the wilderness by now.
-
It's great to have a mobile home for situations like this, Jhananda. Hope you find a new home when you return. Let us know if we can help in any way.
-
I hope it isn't a female. But yeah--leave, man. I hope you're in the wilderness by now.
No women are involved. It is three career alcoholic men who have been harassing me. It seems that they believe that they have a god-give right to make as much noise as they want all night long, and if a neighbor has a problem with it, then the neighbor will be harassed.
It's great to have a mobile home for situations like this, Jhananda. Hope you find a new home when you return. Let us know if we can help in any way.
My van has been my mobile home for 7 years. It just took me a few days to load it up with all of the gear and food I need for long-term camping.
-
I hope you stay safe and have a pleasant retreat despite the situation.
So far I am safe, mainly because I am 65 miles from Sedona. I do have a court hearing on Monday in Sedona to acquire an injunction against all three perpetrators. However, I plan only to be in Sedona long enough for the court appearance, then head straight out of town. I still need to figure out how to pack all of my things there, and move them somewhere else far, far away.
-
I hope a solution presents itself, my friend. Because one hasn't come to me.
-
Here is an update on the problem people. All 3 have been evicted. They last 2 left a few days ago. Monday the constable was sent out to make sure they were all gone, and the landlord arrived Sunday evening. The locks have been changed, the units are totally trashed and will take several days of hard labor on the landlord's part to clean them up.
The startup battery on my van gave out yesterday morning at the gas station a block from here. AAA gave me a jump to get it started, and the van is now dead and locked in my yard behind a tall fence. It might be a few days before I can decide which battery or batteries are bad, and figure out a way to remove them without putting myself in the hospital for lifting one or more 53lb (24KG) batteries.
I am currently sleeping inside, as I cannot feel safe enough here in Sedona to rest well in the van.
Yesterday I had a second court appearance regarding the injunctions against the three. The judge felt I only had enough evidence for an injunction against only one of them. So, I have some protection, and protection against the most vocal and abusive of the three, who happens to be the paranoid psychotic. At that time the landlord also filed injunctions against them, and also received only one injunction for the same individual. I served as a witness for his petition, and he served as a witness for mine. The other tenants felt too intimidated to come forward to court.
-
Here is an update on the problem people. All 3 have been evicted. They last 2 left a few days ago. Monday the constable was sent out to make sure they were all gone, and the landlord arrived Sunday evening. The locks have been changed, the units are totally trashed and will take several days of hard labor on the landlord's part to clean them up.
The startup battery on my van gave out yesterday morning at the gas station a block from here. AAA gave me a jump to get it started, and the van is now dead and locked in my yard behind a tall fence. It might be a few days before I can decide which battery or batteries are bad, and figure out a way to remove them without putting myself in the hospital for lifting one or more 53lb (24KG) batteries.
I am currently sleeping inside, as I cannot feel safe enough here in Sedona to rest well in the van.
Yesterday I had a second court appearance regarding the injunctions against the three. The judge felt I only had enough evidence for an injunction against only one of them. So, I have some protection, and protection against the most vocal and abusive of the three, who happens to be the paranoid psychotic. At that time the landlord also filed injunctions against them, and also received only one injunction for the same individual. I served as a witness for his petition, and he served as a witness for mine. The other tenants felt too intimidated to come forward to court.
It sounds like it's turning out, Jhananda. I hope you feel safe again, soon. But, I also Feel that these kinds of things are going to increase in occurrence (in general for everyone) going forward.
-
There will be resentment for a time, be safe Jhanananda.
-
Good to hear that your situation has improved, Jhananda. Maybe you could hire some young person to get your battery out of the van.
-
Thank-you, friends for expressing your kind thoughts, and recommendations. It does seems like things have changed for the better; however, I am not taking any risks, and I am essentially barricaded in, just in case.
-
Wow. That's interesting to note, Jhananda.
-
Hi boss, is everything well?
-
Harassment in Sedona seems to have taken on the whole neighborhood. I have had code enforcement and the fire martial investigating me over a lie.
Today I observed a remote controlled helicopter hover over my yard. I reported it to the police, but of course they will do nothing. At this point I have to accept the entire neighborhood is behind the harassment. The reason is, I moved into an entire neighborhood that is invested in criminal activity such as: drug trafficking, and prostitution.
I have been packing since early September, and I plan to be out of Sedona by December 31, 2014. I am only documenting this so that if I end up murdered, then perhaps someone here will demand an investigation. I expect an assassination attempt at any moment.
-
I have been packing since early September, and I plan to be out of Sedona by December 31, 2014. I am only documenting this so that if I end up murdered, then perhaps someone here will demand an investigation. I expect an assassination attempt at any moment.
Well, I hope it doesn't come to that. Get out of there the fastest way you can.
Today I observed a remote controlled helicopter hover over my yard. I reported it to the police, but of course they will do nothing. At this point I have to accept the entire neighborhood is behind the harassment. The reason is, I moved into an entire neighborhood that is invested in criminal activity such as: drug trafficking, and prostitution.
Those small helicopter drones equipped with cameras are becoming more ubiquitous since they're cheap and easy to get with few laws to regulate their use. How annoying they are. I expect some fool will figure out a way of arming them with lethal weapons.
-
Those small helicopter drones equipped with cameras are becoming more ubiquitous since they're cheap and easy to get with few laws to regulate their use. How annoying they are. I expect some fool will figure out a way of arming them with lethal weapons.
Some crazy fool did figure out how to arm a small helicopter drone with a machine gun and a bomb as shown in the following video. It also shows the drone flying into a car and blowing it up.
See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNPJMk2fgJU
-
Well, I hope it doesn't come to that. Get out of there the fastest way you can.
Yes, I could have just driven off months ago, and left everything behind. However, if I can leave with all of the useful resources, then my lifestyle will be a lot better off; so I am hanging in here until I can get everything useful moved to far enough away to afford reasonable protection; and for now on my whereabouts will be secret, and I will not be attending any GWV retreats, because my presence will be a threat to everyone there.
-
Well, I hope it doesn't come to that. Get out of there the fastest way you can.
Yes, I could have just driven off months ago, and left everything behind. However, if I can leave with all of the useful resources, then my lifestyle will be a lot better off; so I am hanging in here until I can get everything useful moved to far enough away to afford reasonable protection; and for now on my whereabouts will be secret, and I will not be attending any GWV retreats, because my presence will be a threat to everyone there.
This is very discouraging and worrisome. Please do leave as soon as you can.
-
Hello friends. It seems an update is required. On Wednesday the local Fire Martial came by a 4th time to inspect my property. Since I am moving anyway, I asked," I am moving. I have blocked your inspection because I do not want to spend all of my time and effort of moving with violation amendments, so I have prevented your inspection."
Gary Johnson, the Sedona Fiire Martial said, "I am not here to block you move, if that is what you are doing. I am only here to make sure that fire regulations are observed, and I will give you a reasonable (2 week) compliance time frame."
So, I gave him a tour of my yard. He saw my 2 hundred gallons of waste oils of hand for research. He saw that it was stored properly, and said, "I will be back in 2 weeks. I would like to see most of your experimental waste oils removed by then, but our fuel blends needed for immediate fuel needs for your move are acceptable."
He otherwise had no complaints about my waste oil and solvent storage.
So, in the last 6 months, or so, I have heard something flying over-head that, I am sorry, but it sounded like a vacuum cleaner flying in the sky. The first time I heard one was about a year ago. I had no idea what it was. The I heard another one a few months ago, while I was kneeling on the ground picking up kindling. I looked up and saw a small flying machine that had come from the east, and was just over-head. I had never seen any flying machine so small that was in remote control, but this one was. It hovered overhead for a few seconds, then it flew off. I a certain that it recognized me as an observer. As soon as it left I walked the neighborhood to see who was flying such a remote controlled surveillance system, and found my next door neighbor to the east had an open storage unit open. No one was visible anywhere.
The about a month ago I saw another flying machine, that sounded like a vacuum cleaner, but I saw it, and I saw that it was not observing my property. and it was clearly a quad-copter, hovering over a nearby property.
Then, today I saw another, different design, quad-copter flying over my yard, ad hovering over it. I then tried shooting it down with a wrist rocket, but the rocks fell short by about 5 feet, so tomorrow I will purchase a Daisy bb gun to shoot the next one down.
Please accept my apologies, for any irrational thinking that you might find in this post, because joint pain has been off-scale for about an hour or 2 hours; and I am certain it is due to the recent K-4 level emissions from the sun.
-
The quad-copter is definitely a drone. I hope for safety.
-
Thanks, bodhimind. I think it i just nosy people. That is all.
-
Thanks, bodhimind. I think it i just nosy people. That is all.
That was my feeling. I'm grateful you posted the information, though.
-
(http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j411/jhananda/Self%20portrait/Dr.%20Joel%20Ibrahim%20Kreps%20and%20me_zpsmwacukir.jpg)
Last weekend I met with Dr. Joel Ibrahim Kreps and his wife in Prescott, AZ. I posed with Dr. Kreps in front of my truck, which was loaded with equipment to be transported to the new location.
-
Great picture :)
-
I love this picture. The moment I saw it, it made me smile with delight.
-
I am glad you two liked the photo. I liked it as well. Thank-you Dr. Kreps and Munirha.
-
As many of you know I am still moving, but it will be done in a few days. The internet is also likely to be shut off any day now, so there is likely to be a period with me off-line until I work out a connection. I am looking into a smart phone as an internet gateway.
-
Thursday I finally completed loading the truck and the van with the last of the things that I find useful to move forward. I secured the load, then called AAA to send a tow truck to tow my van, while I drove the truck to the new location. The local Sedona AAA authorized road side service sent a tow truck, which arrived about an hour after I called, even though their yard was less than a block away. The driver right away shook his head, and had a problem with my van with the fuel making system on it. He called his boss, and his boss called the owner, and they had a pow wow over it, then called AAA, photographed my van, and had a lengthy conversation with AAA about it. They then said I needed to put a tarp over the roof rack before they would consider towing my truck.
So, I put a tarp over the roof rack of the van, then for added security I had an extra 2" strap, so I hooked it to the front bumper, then ran it over the roof and synched it to the steel frame that holds my fuel system to the chassis of the van. By the time that I had gotten the whole system secured it was too late in the day to travel in daylight the whole way, so I waited until Friday morning to call AAA dispatch to have another tow truck dispatched to me. I was told that they Sedona AAA authorized road side service company refused to tow my van. I told the AAA dispatch operator that my van had been towed by many AAA authorized road side service companies in the 8 years that I have owned it, and not one of them had a problem with towing. She said, "I am sorry, but you will have to get a commercial tow service to tow your van."
So, I had to search the web for a commercial tow service that was near my destination. They were happy to give my van a tow for $145. The driver arrived in a little more than an hour, and hooked my van up without any conflict. I left him picking up my van and drive the deuce and a half to the new warehouse. I arrived about 5 minutes before the tow driver arrived with my van. He unloaded it exactly where I wanted it.
After the driver was finished unloading my van I asked him, "Did you have any trouble with loading or securing my customized van?"
He said, "No problem at all."
My conclusion is, moving to Sedona was one of the worst decisions made for me by someone who believed I belong in Sedona, and was willing to help fund my move and stay there. I did not want to move to Sedona, because I had found Prescott, AZ met many of my needs as a contemplative. I have no plans to return to Sedona, AZ, because it seemed like the entire town was set against me from the beginning.
-
It saddens me to hear about your prolonged and arduous difficulties with managing to live your mendicant lifestyle. From my limited experience of living similarly for the last year and a half I'd offer the perspective that its not you in particular that the people may be against, but rather anyone that does not fit into the community normative. Anyone not saddled with a job and debt to contribute to the GDP of our country will find similar persecution regardless of beliefs. There are isolated communities that have negotiated something alternative but they too are rather niche and from my experience are typically laden with magical spiritual beliefs and unique rules that may not suite a bare bones mendicant and one is then left with a community perhaps equally as incompatible as conventional society.
I have no real answers though to the dilema of right livilihood simple living for someone who's focus is primarily spiritual communion. Perhaps the most promising path I've yet to explore fully is that of stashing enough money to go very hardcore primitive in the northern wilderness areas. Its too extreme for my tastes right now and I have skillsets to develop before going that route, but I do keep it in mind. Anyways I really hope you find something that suits you better and gives you more ease.
-
It saddens me to hear about your prolonged and arduous difficulties with managing to live your mendicant lifestyle. From my limited experience of living similarly for the last year and a half I'd offer the perspective that its not you in particular that the people may be against, but rather anyone that does not fit into the community normative. Anyone not saddled with a job and debt to contribute to the GDP of our country will find similar persecution regardless of beliefs. There are isolated communities that have negotiated something alternative but they too are rather niche and from my experience are typically laden with magical spiritual beliefs and unique rules that may not suite a bare bones mendicant and one is then left with a community perhaps equally as incompatible as conventional society.
I agree that the problem is one of the herd just not appreciating the mystic, and they do resent anyone who gets a "free-ride."
I have no real answers though to the dilema of right livilihood simple living for someone who's focus is primarily spiritual communion. Perhaps the most promising path I've yet to explore fully is that of stashing enough money to go very hardcore primitive in the northern wilderness areas. Its too extreme for my tastes right now and I have skillsets to develop before going that route, but I do keep it in mind. Anyways I really hope you find something that suits you better and gives you more ease.
I am currently leaning toward beach combing, and canoeing around estuaries as the ideal subsistence strategy.
-
When I know at least 2 sociopaths who operate between Cottonwood and Sedona, and whom I have observed make a career out of manipulating paranoid schizophrenics, and who claim a close connection to the paranoid schizophrenic who murdered 2 people just outside of Sedona in 2010, then I have to conclude that I have reason to believe that this (below) is not a coincidence. So, if I die soon at the hands of paranoid schizophrenic, then know it was not a coincidence.
Questions unanswered from triple fatal head-on in Sedona (http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=66036)
SEDONA - A horrific accident in Sedona Sunday (06-07-2015) on SR 89a...Reportedly, about 1:30 p.m., a jeep crossed the double yellow lines from the eastbound into the westbound lanes and struck head-on a brand new black Prius.
Three of the four occupants were killed, including the driver of the white Jeep and two of the three Prius occupants.
6/9/2015 2:05:00 PM
UPDATE: Willoughby died of self-inflicted gunshot at time of head-on accident Sunday in Sedona (http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1190&articleID=66040)
While investigating the collision, Sedona PD received information from Yavapai County Sheriff's Office of a suicidal subject and were attempting to locate him and his vehicle - a white Jeep Cherokee.
Autopsy finds driver shot himself before fatal collision in Sedona (http://azdailysun.com/news/local/autopsy-finds-driver-shot-himself-before-fatal-collision-in-sedona/article_dfc1b5a3-bbbb-55f9-a9f9-3c6d6609eec5.html)
Authorities in Sedona say an autopsy found that driver fatally shot himself before his SUV crossed a highway's center line and collided with an oncoming car, killing two people in that vehicle...
The Sedona Police Department said the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office determined that 48-year-old Ross "Scott" Willoughby of Cottonwood died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The department also said that it received information soon after the collision Sunday afternoon that another police agency was trying to locate Willoughby because he was suicidal.
Health was low yesterday; nonetheless, I made progress on repairing one of my diesel injector pumps. I believe that I will have my van running today or tomorrow. I need to be mobile if I am going to be hunted by a paranoid schizophrenic whose strings are being controlled by sociopaths.
-
(http://meredithaz.images.worldnow.com/images/8031418_G.jpg)
4th person dies after Sedona crash with suicidal driver (http://www.kpho.com/story/29290225/4th-person-dies-after-sedona-crash-with-suicidal-driver#ixzz3cqhvfBMH)
SEDONA, AZ (KPHO/KTVK) - Authorities in Sedona say a fourth person has died after a crash caused by a driver who fatally shot himself behind the wheel.
-
Oh dear, the collision looks dreadful. Do take care, I hope you will be safe.
-
Yes, I have a need to get one of my vehicles running so that I am not a sitting duck, because it seems to me that the above paranoid schizophrenic was looking to take me out, and when he could not find me, he just killed the nearest people he could.
-
Willoughby family talks fatal crash (http://www.redrocknews.com/news/13-top-news/11762-willoughby-family-talks-fatal-crash.html)
They said Willoughby had battled with drug abuse for many years and had previously spent time at a drug treatment facility. He had been clean for approximately 10 years and had been building a positive life for himself. He valued his clean lifestyle and his home in Cornville while embracing natural foods, gardening, raising chickens, writing poetry and playing music.
“Unfortunately, he recently gave in and relapsed in January of 2015,” they said. “Since then, he had multiple episodes resulting in being detained and arrested by Cottonwood police, treated at the hospital ER, and had his drivers license suspended and replaced by AZDOT.”
He was most probably addicted to crystal methadrene. The criminals who made a career out of driving me out of Sedona were all drug dealers.
-
It's interesting that you like to live in small storage warehouses for health reasons. How many square feet is this new one? What is the rent? What facilities are there, etc? And what I'm most interested in knowing - are the surroundings quiet and peaceful?
Thanks, Michel, for the inquiry. I moved it to this thread, because it seems more relevant here than in space weather.
Answers:
1] I rent in warehouses, because they are cheap rent.
2] This warehouse is 500 sqft. The last one was 1000sqft plus a yard.
3] The rent here is $400/m.
4] There is a metal box with a roll-up door, a fence around the yard, a communal bathroom, and 2 places to park my vehicles.
5] It is pretty quiet here as it is literally on the edge of the wilderness with a river running right at the edge of the property, and a large grassland starts a block away. I regularly see ducks and blue heron flying up and down the river, and a large hawk soars right over head most days. There are also lots of rabbits, squirrels, and the occasional coyote. However, I can hear traffic in the distance during rush hour.
Some of the rabbits have taken an interest in me, and so has a female wren, which is often right under my feet when I work. Most days there is a beautiful sunset here as well.
-
Cheap rent. Most mystics are as poor as a church mouse. I can imagine that there are many other people that find mini-warehouses affordable shelters. It's good that it's quiet. Are the units heated?
-
Yes, Michel, to become a mystic one has to give up everything, so we become poor. We take it on with courage, like St Francis and so many other mystics.
The warehouse unit has no electricity, so there is no heat or cooling. It has been getting hotter here. Today it was 38c (100F), so it was too hot from 2PM on to be in the warehouse doing anything constructive. So, I took refuge in the shade of another warehouse unit here.
The good news is I completed rebuilding the diesel injector pump on my van yesterday, and installed it. Today I redesigned and rebuilt a major portion of the fuel line/filtration system to prevent future mishaps.
I am not sure if the rebuilt diesel injector pump will work, as this is my first rebuild of one. I am waiting until a fuel filter arrives, which cannot be bought locally. When it arrives Tuesday, then I will try starting the van. If all goes well, then I plan to head into the mountains and only come back to town once a week.
-
I hope you get out to the mountains soon to escape that oppressive heat, Jhananda.
-
Thanks, Michel, I am working on it, but Wednesday looks like the earliest that I might be able to escape.
-
Today we got smacked with another geomagnetic disturbance from a recent CME. The first day did not seem to bother my too much, but the second day was quite difficult. Today, with another CME erupting from the sun, we can only expect almost back-to-back geomagnetic disturbances for a few more days.
In addition, my new warehouse space is quite rural. I noticed, perhaps in the first week, that a rancher across the wash was in the habit of shooting after work. The bullets tend to whiz overhead. It has become a weekly phenomena, and yesterday he did it again. Now, one of the tenants here (Nick) is a witness.
Today, a black SUV drove rapidly through the complex. I think it might be a message from the same person, who is broadcasting, "Get out of Dodge, or I am going to get you." So, I will be carrying a 357 with me all day from now on.
-
No more bullets have been flying overhead, but the landlord has given me a deadline of 6PM today to no longer reside here, while I work through the mechanical problems with the 2 vehicles.
Late in the day I had to decide that the final problem with the van was the glow plug relay does not seem to be putting out sufficient power to get the glow plug hot enough for combustion, and I just happen to have a spare, so I plan to swap it out this morning. If it does not work, then I can get one at an auto parts store in a few days.
Yesterday I worked on preparing the backup plan, which is camping off of my touring bike. I fixed all of the paniers and attached another milk crate to the rear rack. One is also on the front.
I have a friend who plans to pick me up if I need it, and drive me to a camp ground in the mountains. He will order the glow plug relay and come and get me and take me back here to install it, and see if it solves the problem. Otherwise I will have to order a rebuilt injector pump, and install it after it comes.
So, I am not likely to be available much for a while.
-
Here's hoping everything works out :)
-
I just got a message from Jhananda saying that he is camping in the mountains. He says hello to all.
-
Glad to hear that he is safe and well. :)
-
Yes, I am safe, and fairly well. Another inflammation cycle has been arising for the last week, so I now only come into town when necessary.
Monday I ordered a rebuild of one of my injector pumps, and sent it off for rebuild. Hopefully it will return on or before Friday, because the campground that I am in has a 14 day limit, which is up this Sunday afternoon at 2PM.
If it does not arrive, then I will have to do some stealth camping until next Tuesday when the injector pump will surely arrive here.
Thank-you all for keeping the forum alive, and helping new people negotiate it.
The campground host lent me a book about Meriweather Lewis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meriwether_Lewis)(March 3, 1807 – October 11, 1809), the founder of the Lewis and Clark expedition. I was surprised to find that he committed suicide 3 years after returning from his famous cross continent exploration of north America.
While it seems almost everyone wants to dismiss his suicide as caused by manic-depression, even the author of the book I read hinted at it throughout, it was; however, clear to me that he was meant for the wilderness, not for civilization. Instead of killing himself he should have just outfitted himself for another exploration, and invited people to join him, and left, and never returned, except to sell furs, then return to the wilderness.
I found, after returning from my 2 year solo wilderness retreat, that people go out of their way to bring people down, whom they believe have found something good. So, friends, live as an island unto yourself, and take refuge in the wilderness, because civilization will drive anyone mad.
-
Hi friends, here is an update. Yesterday I received a rebuilt injector pump, and spent the day installing it, which got my van running, so I am no longer tent-camping off a touring bike. I spent the night back in the mountains, and plan to do so for the rest of the summer, which means I may not be as available to the forum as I have been.
-
Do take care of your health
-
Sounds great, enjoy your stay in the mountains!
-
As the others said, be careful and best wishes.
-
Glad to hear that you finally got the injector pump out of the way, Jhananda. Hope you have a good retreat.
-
Thank-you, friends, for expressing your support. Yesterday I was completely exhausted from the effort of the previous day of installing the injector pump. I did start exploring another new-to-me camping area. It is working out quite well, and I feel much better today. I still have much preparation to go through before I can just head off into the mountains for weeks at a time.
-
After getting my diesel engine running again with a rebuilt injector pump, I spent much of the rest of July resolving a charging problem, which turned out to be the alternator was dying. Fortunately a few years ago I had pulled a new-looking alternator from a wreck, which turned out to be good, so I swapped alternators and now the charging is good again.
Since I had installed solar panels on my van, and tied them into the charging system, and installed a total of 4 batteries, it actually took a week of driving before the charging problem surfaced. Having all of those extra power resources; however, did complicate the trouble-shooting.
Being a poor mendicant makes it difficult to sustain a van. Fortunately since I have taken early retirement, and some donations come into the GWV, then I have a small money-stream that makes it possible to do so.
-
Driver in fatal crash had meth in system (http://www.redrocknews.com/news/13-top-news/12105-driver-in-fatal-crash-had-meth-in-system.html)
Written by Ron Eland September 23rd, 2015
A medical report states that the driver who caused a two-car accident that claimed the lives of three tourists had a combination of drugs in his system at the time of the incident.
According to a Coconino County Medical Examiner's toxicology report, 48-year-old Ross Scott Willoughby had both methamphetamine and marijuana in his system at the time of the
June 7 accident in Sedona. An autopsy found that Willoughby’s cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and blunt force trauma from the impact.
This evidence suggests a connection to my past neighbor in Sedona, who was a small-time drug dealer selling marijuana and crystal meth.
-
Some of you might appreciate reading the following article about me: Homeless in Prescott: Former scientist develops alternative fuel system as means to survive (VIDEO) (http://dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=153937&TM=70001.95)
-
Interesting video, Jhananda. I noticed you are sporting a beard these days. But before you shave it off for whatever reason, there's an interesting article about beards and health in this BBC article:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35350886
-
That was an interesting article. Since I feed my beard regularly, then there should be a healthy crop of antibiotic friendly flora growing in it.
-
A snow storm here is predicted for Monday, so my work this week has been focused upon preparing to camp at lower elevation, which will also allow me to acquire more data on the causes and thus solutions for my diabetes.
Fortunately there were some more donations that came my way, so I can afford to purchase more blood test strips, and groceries on my way out of town.
So, do not expect me to respond to the dialog on this forum for a few days after tomorrow morning.
-
Stay safe and warm. I think that would be the most important =). No need to drive in the snow.
-
Yes, I agree, and thank-you. The weather is still good here, so I am continuing to prepare for the trip, but I expect to leave this afternoon, so that I can find a campsite before dark. So, this is likely to be my last check-in here for a few days.
-
Some of you might appreciate reading the following article about me: Homeless in Prescott: Former scientist develops alternative fuel system as means to survive (VIDEO) (http://dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=153937&TM=70001.95)
Hey Jhananda,
I read this article with curiosity and compassion about your current situation.
I have a question: in the article, it says that one of the volunteers sensed bitterness and hopelessness in you. Would you agree with that assessment? If yes, then my next question is can a Arahant feel bitterness and hopelessness?
I apologize if my questions offend you.
-
Some of you might appreciate reading the following article about me: Homeless in Prescott: Former scientist develops alternative fuel system as means to survive (VIDEO) (http://dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=153937&TM=70001.95)
Hey Jhananda,
I read this article with curiosity and compassion about your current situation.
I have a question: in the article, it says that one of the volunteers sensed bitterness and hopelessness in you. Would you agree with that assessment? If yes, then my next question is can a Arahant feel bitterness and hopelessness?
I apologize if my questions offend you.
I would also like to know your response on this, Jhananda.
-
Some of you might appreciate reading the following article about me: Homeless in Prescott: Former scientist develops alternative fuel system as means to survive (VIDEO) (http://dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=153937&TM=70001.95)
Hey Jhananda,
I read this article with curiosity and compassion about your current situation.
I have a question: in the article, it says that one of the volunteers sensed bitterness and hopelessness in you. Would you agree with that assessment? If yes, then my next question is can a Arahant feel bitterness and hopelessness?
I apologize if my questions offend you.
One should ask how much insight one who is not a contemplative has into the feeling of someone.
-
Hello friends, it is time for an update. As many of you know my health has been in decline for the 8 years that I have been in or near Prescott, AZ. It took me about 7 years to realize that it was back-to-back allergies that was the cause of my declining health here. Beginning 2.5 years ago I started taking antihistamine to treat my allergies. It is then that my health started to improve. However, around the first of this year I developed a lung infection due to an allergy to local fungi.
Since then I have moved out of the van and into a trailer, because my old van was contaminated with this local fungus. A friend here invited me to move my truck and van into her yard, and to move into a 35 foot travel trailer that she had in her yard. It had not been lived in in several years.
Realizing that my health here depended upon filtering out allergens from the air my body breaths, then I purchased a respirator with a P95 filter, which has both fine filtration, as well as a molecular sieve to remove hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons that I tend to be allergic to are turpenes from local elm species. Implementing those changes has improved my health considerably.
Almost 2 weeks ago I made the mistake of leaving the trailer without the respirator, because it was such a beautiful day, and I felt well, so I took a long walk, and volunteered again for a few hours at the local Salvation Army post. Big mistake. I got back exhausted. I took a nap, and awoke from it feeling death pending. I was severally sick for about 5 days before reasonable recovery. It was an experiment, which this body can no longer survive. So, now, as long as I am in Prescott, or Yavapai County, I will have to wear a respirator when outside.
A CPAP machine was prescribed by both my immunologist, and my pulmonologist. I have now had a month of problems getting my insurance carrier to pay for it. According to both my immunologist, and my pulmonologist it is critical medical equipment for my continued survival. Their assessment seems reasonable, so I continue to work toward acquiring the machine.
With precarious health, and the knowledge that life is short, and there is especially little time left of this lifetime, I plan to focus my time on completing a few books, which I believe will be found to be a critical contribution to life on earth.
-
Please take care Jhanananda :) Best wishes to your health
-
Thanks, bodhimind, and others here, for all of your kind wishes. My goal on this forum is to keep it peer-level, so that we learn from eachother's successes and failures. My failure was in not treating my allergies with either antihistamines, or migration therapy.
-
With recent donations to the GWV I plan to purchase broadband so that I do not have to walk to a hot spot, which means I will be able to get onto the forum more consistently, until the beast gives out.
-
Sorry folks for being off-line for so long. I spent the weekend in the hospital dealing with my autoimmune disorder. At the same time my health broke, so did my computer, so broadband will have to wait until I can afford to replace my laptop.
-
Hi folks. I am heading to a remote location near Flagstaff, AZ, where I plan to camp for a month. You can call it "social distancing." I may not be able to check in for a month, but I leave you in the good hands of our moderators: Alexander and rougeleader115
-
Please note that with the generous support of the followers of the Great Western Vehicle I have been able to move to a ranch about 25 miles from Flagstaff, AZ. I have camped in and around Flagstaff, AZ for years and I have found better health here, and last summer I spent quite a bit of time camped on the ranch that I have moved to. I find my health is better in Flagstaff, AZ, than Prescott, AZ; and I find my health even better at the ranch 25 miles from Flagstaff. This means though that I cannot afford to be driving in and out of Flagstaff regularly, and cell service at the remote ranch is so poor that I cannot expect to be regular here, so I look forward to the moderators here providing most of the support.
-
Glad to hear you are doing well, Jeff, and you are enjoying your time in seclusion. :D Chronic health issues, some of which I have myself, I know are a constant source of stress.
Om Namah Shivaya
-
Thanks, Alexander, for expressing your kind thoughts. My health is much better since I went into the wilderness again. I'll be in town for a few days of grocery shopping.
-
Two night ago I left my body and spent the night in communion with a high angel, who had a message for me. The message was simple, and repeated all night, "Follow the path of least resistence." Just before waking I connected with another being and sent this message on to that being, before returning to the body.
I think following the path of least resistence is the core of the contemplative life. While the Noble Eightfold Path is an excellent description of the contemplative life, I find following the path of least resistence is a very simple way of boiling down the contemplative life.
The first 4 folds of the Noble Eightfold Path are all about ethics, and ethics are certainly essential and introductory to the contemplative life. And, when we take up a fruitful contemplative life we essentially learn to follow the path of least resistence through the 8 stages of samadhi, which are altered states of consciousness, and are the core of the superior fruit of the contemplative life (maha-phala).
-
Very interesting anecdotes Jeff, and thanks for sharing.
-
Two night ago I left my body and spent the night in communion with a high angel, who had a message for me. The message was simple, and repeated all night, "Follow the path of least resistence." Just before waking I connected with another being and sent this message on to that being, before returning to the body.
I think following the path of least resistence is the core of the contemplative life. While the Noble Eightfold Path is an excellent description of the contemplative life, I find following the path of least resistence is a very simple way of boiling down the contemplative life.
The first 4 folds of the Noble Eightfold Path are all about ethics, and ethics are certainly essential and introductory to the contemplative life. And, when we take up a fruitful contemplative life we essentially learn to follow the path of least resistence through the 8 stages of samadhi, which are altered states of consciousness, and are the core of the superior fruit of the contemplative life (maha-phala).
Agreed. What a beautiful experience.
I have found this is the fruit of what Abraham Hicks teaches, as well. I have been practicing this to great benefit. I find both the Buddha's teachings and Abrahams are essentially the same--just a more modern messenger for a modern time.
Life, like is commonly believed of the universe, is constantly expanding and evolving, thus it makes sense for the path of enlightenment to do the same. This took me a while to understand.
What a "coincidence" this is the one post I chose to view over the last months. Of course "coincidence", in addition to common understanding, is just a term for how thoughts turn to things, and how simillar thoughts with unresisted momentum manifest together into events of similar quality when conditions are ripe (like how there is a very similar time and conditions for the bloom of many of the same kind of flower.)
Nice to "see" you again, Jhanananda :) Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience.
-
Thank you, Alexander and Jhanon for posting your kind responses to this thread. I am currious, Jhanon, since you mentioned Abraham Hicks, someone I have never heard of nor met, does he teach about the superior fruit of the contemplative life (samana-maha-phala)? If so, what does he say about it?
-
Around the first of July my van broke down on the street in FLagstaff with a serious auto repair that was well over my head to fix at the curb. I had it towed to an industrial neighborhood to work on across from the local shelter service. The problem was the intake manifold on my engine has both air and water in separate manifolds, and the water manifold had been leaking badly. It took me a week to get down to the manifold through a maze of wires and vacuum lines and components all sitting on top of the intake manifold.
After I had the intake manifold exposed and unbolted I found it too heavey to remove, so a little over a week ago a friend, who is a retired mechanic came from Prescott to my rescue. It took almost all day for both of us to remove, clean, reseal and reinstall the intake manifold. Once we had the intake manifold resealed and reinstalled he left for me to put everything back on. It took me another week to reassemble the engine, get it started and trouble shoot it. So, the repair took 2 weeks.
I am now back camped in the National Forest where air quality is so much better.
-
Glad you are navigating it Jeff. Do write if you run into any major issues; hard to manage as we age.
-
Yes, I agree, I am definitely getting too old for doing major auto repairs. I think I am going to have to start looking for a place to land for the duration soon.
-
Alexander,
Jhananda has been absent from the forum for a while. I also emailed him but no response. Do you have any other ways of contacting him? I know from his post that his health was getting worse.
-
Alexander,
Jhananda has been absent from the forum for a while. I also emailed him but no response. Do you have any other ways of contacting him? I know from his post that his health was getting worse.
He is usually without internet access for periods of time. I believe he goes to the library or connects to Wifi spots as he is out in rural Arizona.
Yes, he has had health problems for several years. He was saying he was worried about his decline years ago, but then he said he made a major recovery. But, I think his physical body still causes him great suffering.
I do not know how we will deal with Jeff's mahasamadhi as he lives in isolation. Unless the Inner Director tells me when his time comes. But even if such occurs I wouldn't be able to verify it as I'm on the other side of the USA.
Living alone is difficult as one gets advanced in age: so I hope his children will be able to make sure he is physically OK.
He has created a wealth of resources for future students, and we have preserved his most important discussions. His recordings on YouTube will also be available well into the future. He is not known today, but I believe at some point in the future he will be known as one of the American saints.
Yes, it is the way of the world that with time the true dharma is lost, and authentic teachers must always re-emerge and arise to re-establish it for the spiritual good of others. We are fortunate to have had such a good teacher in our time.
-
I really hope he is ok. I have missed his presence.
-
Hey all. Been a while. I don't keep up on here anymore, but I intuitively checked this today. I have his number and sent him a text. I will call him later if he doesn't respond.
-
Hi Jhanon,
Thank you! Nice to see you here. I read many of your old posts. I would love to hear more about your spiritual journey and your practice.
-
I agree with Tad, it's nice seeing some of the old guard around, Jhanon, as your posts have been very elucidating along my journey. It's a shame so many do not come back regularly.
-
I'm not sure why Jeffrey has gone silent here, but he has posted on Facebook a few times in recent days, the last one on March 8. He has always had a way of fading out and then returning.
-
Michael,
Thanks foe good news. Hopefully, he is just taking a break and will get back to this forum. It is really great to see old timers posting here again.
-
My pleasure! I just checked and Jeffrey has posted twice on FB during the past 20 hours, so that's a good thing.
I somewhat follow the forum through its RSS feed, and apologize for not being more active. I always appreciate the honesty and earnestness that members display here, and it feels good to know that genuine contemplatives still walk the Earth. The world needs you now more than ever, I think....
-
Thank you all for expressing your concern. The power adapter for me laptop died about a month ago, and as I was traveling I had no place to have another shipped to until this week. So, sorry about the delay. I will focus on catching up on the dialog here. Thanks Michael for checking in on the forum.
-
My pleasure! I just checked and Jeffrey has posted twice on FB during the past 20 hours, so that's a good thing.
I somewhat follow the forum through its RSS feed, and apologize for not being more active. I always appreciate the honesty and earnestness that members display here, and it feels good to know that genuine contemplatives still walk the Earth. The world needs you now more than ever, I think....
Good to see you here :) I read your blog posts at the same time as I was watching all Jeff's YouTube videos years ago.
-
Is Micheal's blog still active and where can it be found?
-
Thank you all for expressing your concern. The power adapter for me laptop died about a month ago, and as I was traveling I had no place to have another shipped to until this week. So, sorry about the delay. I will focus on catching up on the dialog here. Thanks Michael for checking in on the forum.
Strange that of all the thousands of days I've not checked this forum, it was a few days after Tad and Rodin inquired about your welfare that I did. I wonder if it was the same for Michael, which I'm very glad to see still keeps an eye out. I'm most glad of all that you're well, Jhanananda.
-
Hi Jhanon,
Thank you! Nice to see you here. I read many of your old posts. I would love to hear more about your spiritual journey and your practice.
I agree with Tad, it's nice seeing some of the old guard around, Jhanon, as your posts have been very elucidating along my journey. It's a shame so many do not come back regularly.
"Elucidating!" Well now, that is rewarding to hear. Several books sprouted from the posts nourished like seeds in the community garden here. I know it can often feel like there isn't enough material, and even less of us to commune with about it. That's how I often felt here, and partially why I wrote so much.
I will create a new thread in an appropriate place on the forum if you want to ask questions. I'm happy to answer any. It's been long enough and there is plenty to say.
-
Thank you all for expressing your concern. The power adapter for me laptop died about a month ago, and as I was traveling I had no place to have another shipped to until this week. So, sorry about the delay. I will focus on catching up on the dialog here. Thanks Michael for checking in on the forum.
Strange that of all the thousands of days I've not checked this forum, it was a few days after Tad and Rodin inquired about your welfare that I did. I wonder if it was the same for Michael, which I'm very glad to see still keeps an eye out. I'm most glad of all that you're well, Jhanananda.
Thank you, Jhanon, good to see you on here again. I hope you are well and making progress on your contemplative life.
-
Thank you all for expressing your concern. The power adapter for me laptop died about a month ago, and as I was traveling I had no place to have another shipped to until this week. So, sorry about the delay. I will focus on catching up on the dialog here. Thanks Michael for checking in on the forum.
Strange that of all the thousands of days I've not checked this forum, it was a few days after Tad and Rodin inquired about your welfare that I did. I wonder if it was the same for Michael, which I'm very glad to see still keeps an eye out. I'm most glad of all that you're well, Jhanananda.
I have also had a pull to check in on the well-being of Jhanananda, several actually. You actually reached out to me shortly after, Jhanon. I am also glad you’re well. All of you.
-
I have returned to the ranch I caretake for the month. I've started an Instagram blog on it if anyone is interested.
Star Pocket Ranch (https://instagram.com/starpocketranch?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
-
Very nice Jeff. Be sure to post some nice well lit photos of yourself as well. I will follow you there
I just recently made one myself, to begin posting portraits I'm making
https://www.instagram.com/alexander1646137/
-
I'm very pleased to see you both using social media. It CAN be a powerful tool for expression.
Pleased to here you're on a ranch, Jhanananda
-
I followed you guys on Instagram. I am on there with naman.genesis Id
-
Good to hear some of you are on social media. I'm also on Facebook, if anyone else is here.
https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.brooks2
-
Added u on FB :D
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1SdFjna7zQ
Air pollution documentary
-
Sorry to have been absent but internet via smartphone in the remote location of the wildlife and old growth preserve makes it very difficult to be consistent here. I'm in town through the holidays and plan to catch up here. I hope to acquire starnet soon so I can keep up to date.
-
Good to hear from you Jhananda and that you doing well.
-
Thanks, Tad. It's good to read posts from you and others here.
-
Hello fellow mystics. Thank you so much for keeping the dialog here going. As you may know I have some serious health problems which have driven me into the wilderness where I do not have internet access. I have left the wildlife refuge for the winter as the Forest service locks a gate across the access road after the first heavy snow in November. I have since headed south and down hill toward the desert to winter. I am currently in Prescott, AZ where a friend is helping me with a place to park and work on my RV. The RV has a serious problem with the front end making it dangerous to drive over 40mph. I have one set of bushings left to replace to stabilize the front end.
I have had some thoughts on mysticism. A characteristic of mystics is they are often hermits living alone in the wilderness, and often beg for their survival. This means most mystics will probably be completely lost to history. Also, those who do enter history are often demonized, like Rasputin of Russia who was martyred just before the Russian revolution.
Conclusion:
Mystics are often hermits, and often marginalized, if not martyred. They often have little interest in the material world, and often have a complete focus upon the spiritual dimension. So, lead a rigorous, self-aware, contemplative life. Meditate several times a day. Your sessions should be much longer than 20 minutes, because 20 minute meditation sessions will not lead to the mystical experience. Give up your attachments to the material world, and meditate deeply.
-
Thank you brother :) And wishing good health
-
Hello Jhananda,
It is great to see you posting here! I missed you.
Ive been somewhat out of touch dealing with struggles of this life and dedicating whatever time and energy remains to practice. I feel way too entangled in this world due to work and family responsibilities. But I hope to find some kind of solution that would allow me to focus more on practice. Nevertheless, even with current limitations on practice I feel slow but steady results.
I often remember your teachings that help through the hard times and the good times.
I wish you good health and hope to see more posts from you
-
Thank you, Alexander and Tad for posting your kind and supportive thoughts and keeping this forum alive. It took me almost 2 months to completely dismantle the front end to replace the bushings on the radius arm on the passenger side. I finished it just last week.
Part of the hold up was shortly after I returned to Prescott, the regional national forests started doing control buns just before each of the winter storms. This drastically reduces regional air quality, which, with COPD, ruins my health, so I was mostly breathing on my respirator keeping dry and warm, and only working on the repair when air quality and weather improved. Consequently I only finished it last week.
My 2 front tires were badly warn from carrying a large generator on a utility carrier attached to the rear receiver on the van for 2 years which raised the front end too much causing the uneven wear on the tires. So, I begged at two different local churches which provided the funds for 1 tire each. Yesterday the checks and tires met at the tire store and they kindly replaced the 2 tires. So, I left my friend's yard and had the tires mounted and I am now finally able to WIFI camp for broad. So, I have to apologize for being absent so long. I plan to focus on acquiring mobile broad band so that I can be more consistently available to rigorous self aware contemplative here.
-
Hello Jhananda,
it is good news that you are planning to get back to the forum. We definitely need it. Sounds like you have been doing heavy work, which is a good sign. It means you still have strength and health :)
-
Thank you, Tad, for expressing your kind thoughts. My health continues to improve as I learn more how to scrub all the aspects of air pollution from the air I breathe. I am apparently specially sensitive to air pollution. I only wish I got serious about air purifier development decades ago. Most days I am breathing purified air through a powered air purifying respirator with a 3M 60926 Multi-gas cartridge (https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v000057497/).
-
Five years ago my 30 year relationship with asthma developed into COPD. Since I am a non-smoker, and 10-20% of the people who die of lung cancer every year never smoked, then I bought air purifiers. I found multi-gas air purifiers and respirators with multi-gas cartridges treated my COPD very well. And, I found my other autoimmune conditions improved significantly.
Two days ago I saw my pulmonologist for the first time in 3 years. He was visibly shocked at my recovery and said twice, "it's a blessing from God."
I replied, "no, it's just technology everyone with COPD, and other autoimmune conditions can buy and use."
My experiments with air purifiers and respirators (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid033Zc32auqZfRjWf6KfogXndXfXTjTuJ3uQGPhZeayyAnuw3mGt8iN26iv5LFV7cXcl&id=711271520&mibextid=Nif5oz)
-
Always believe in miracles ;D
-
Always believe in miracles ;D
I don't believe in miracles because the preponderance of my experience in life clearly shows there are none. Whereas, a belief in miracles is not necessary for multi-gas air purifiers to reduce disease.
-
Spring is finally arriving in the high country, while summer is already here in the mid-country so I plan to move soon to Flagstaff which might mean that I won't be available for dialog, but we will see how that goes.
-
Spring is finally arriving in the high country, while summer is already here in the mid-country so I plan to move soon to Flagstaff which might mean that I won't be available for dialog, but we will see how that goes.
Do you have a tablet? I could get you one :)
-
Thanks, Alexander, my son gave me a tablet a few years ago. The problem is the ranch is so remote that I have to hike a quarter of a mile up a hill to get broadband with my cell phone. I recently changed services because the old cellphone didn't allow for hotspot; whereas, the new one does. It also has another 5gig so I will by trying it out. If it works there, then I will be able to check in daily, but we will see.
I keep track of long range weather and noticed that it looks like the southwestern USA is about to receive two more winter storms, so I might be premature in my travel plans. Hopefully I'll have a better idea before this Sunday.
-
Yesterday I left Prescott, AZ and traveled to Flagstaff as the forest service has opened the road to the ranch I live on during the warm half of the year. I plan to complete my month's grocery shopping, pick up my mail, and water and head to the ranch. I am not sure when I will be able to check in here. I do have a new smartphone and cell-service which came with more monthly data and the ability to use the smartphone as a hotspot, so hopefully I'll be able to check in regularly.
-
Jhananda,
I remember in the past you had an intent to write a book and already had some notes done. Any hope of getting it published in some format?
-
Jhananda,
I remember in the past you had an intent to write a book and already had some notes done. Any hope of getting it published in some format?
Thanks, Tad. I have had to focus on health and moving, and now I am moving again, with continuing health issues bogging me down. My plan now is to sell 2 of my three vehicles, and store the 40 foot container at a storage facility, and spend this winter completing one of my many incomplete books. My book on mysticism the Fruit of the Contemplative Life (http://webmail.jhananda@greatwesternvehicle.org/jhanaarticles.htm) is available at this link. The problem with publication is it costs money to put ink on paper and reproduce it. I have been demonized most of my life, so I don't think we can expect any publisher to publish my writing.
-
Thanks, Tad. I have had to focus on health and moving, and now I am moving again, with continuing health issues bogging me down. My plan now is to sell 2 of my three vehicles, and store the 40 foot container at a storage facility, and spend this winter completing one of my many incomplete books. My book on mysticism the Fruit of the Contemplative Life (http://webmail.jhananda@greatwesternvehicle.org/jhanaarticles.htm) is available at this link. The problem with publication is it costs money to put ink on paper and reproduce it. I have been demonized most of my life, so I don't think we can expect any publisher to publish my writing.
Can you compile everything you want preserved in a PDF, and email it to me?
-
>>>
Jeff:I have been demonized most of my life, so I don't think we can expect any publisher to publish my writing.
>>>
I can understand what you mean Jeff and commiserate with you on the topic of suppression in my life as well. One of my other meditation teachers had his websites shut down and was sent to a mental institute in Toronto in 2019 for talking about spirituality. He has been in and out three times in three years.
He keeps trying to get a stable job when he is allowed to be an outpatient but within a month of starting something happens and he is let go and sent back to the institute. I keep checking in with him to see how his livelihood is going but it keeps falling apart. I sometimes chat with him on social media because he is allowed that most months when he is 'low risk' but I don't know if/when he will be let out and allowed to work again normally. I guess we just have to do the best we can and expect society will feel threatened by us.
-David
-
Jeff:I have been demonized most of my life, so I don't think we can expect any publisher to publish my writing.
It is the nature of things.
The common people don’t understand the concept of mysticism. They don’t understand the human condition (old age, suffering, and death) thus they don’t appreciate what esoteric religion is able to offer. Only once they have become exhausted of the cycle of repeated suffering will they come to their senses and gain appreciation.
Appreciation allows you to distinguish between higher knowledge (knowledge pertaining to the path to liberation) and regular knowledge. But without the personal desire for liberation the two types of knowledge appear indistinguishable.
You are not patronized in life. God does not hold your hand. And, you reap what you sow. ;)
All we are here to do is make sure there’s a pathway out. But, people must appreciate it, identify it, and come on their own. :)
-
Can you compile everything you want preserved in a PDF, and email it to me?
I will work on it this winter
Thank you, David
-
Amazon has a program called KDP that allows independent authors to publish books.
Here is a link: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GHKDSCW2KQ3K4UU4
Nowadays, all that is needed is a doc file, and it can be converted into a Kindle ebook (which is a format largely used by many over the world) and subsequently printed on demand. What this means is that the printing costs are subtracted from royalties earned from each sale of the book.
Paperback printing cost: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834340
Paperbacks: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201834190
Hardcovers: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GAVW3FZZAKA2KY3B
Hence, there is no need to fork out too much expense. Promotion of the book, advertisements, are where more expenses or efforts to spread the message would be required. What would really help is a compelling title that draws the targeted audience, and a well designed book cover.
-
Thanks, bodhimind, I tried electronic publishing several years ago with my book of poetry. I think about 500 people downloaded it. I never saw a penny from Kindle, Amazon, or Smash Words. If I had I would have continued to electronically publish my work.
-
>>>
Bodhimind:Amazon has a program called KDP that allows independent authors to publish books.
>>>
This is exactly what my other teacher, Dr. Andrew (the one I mentioned above), started doing once too many websites were hacked and shut down. It seems to be a sustainable strategy in this modern age of censorship as I don't think his Amazon account was ever hacked. He had several hundred mini (5 - 15 page) eBooks on Amazon last I remember.
-David
-
I have ghostwritten an amazon bestseller before, and it is about selecting a title and cover that appeals to what people are searching for. So there may have been a product-market mismatch when the poetry book was launched. I think books on Buddhism, especially targeted to beginners are rather popular these days when the title is clear on what it is meant to advice on. If the message on ecstastic buddhism ever spreads, it is likely via this avenue, given that the alternative are books like TWIM (bhante vimalaramsi), corrupted teachers like Culadasa, teachers stuck at elementary understanding, etc.
Books like the Nikayas are also very popular but the translations are questionable, given it is usually by Thanissara Bhikkhu. Online published version at suttacentral.com also has wonky translations.
-
I have ghostwritten an amazon bestseller before, and it is about selecting a title and cover that appeals to what people are searching for. So there may have been a product-market mismatch when the poetry book was launched. I think books on Buddhism, especially targeted to beginners are rather popular these days when the title is clear on what it is meant to advice on. If the message on ecstastic buddhism ever spreads, it is likely via this avenue, given that the alternative are books like TWIM (bhante vimalaramsi), corrupted teachers like Culadasa, teachers stuck at elementary understanding, etc.
Books like the Nikayas are also very popular but the translations are questionable, given it is usually by Thanissara Bhikkhu. Online published version at suttacentral.com also has wonky translations.
Thank you, bodhimind. I agree on your points, and will review my consideration of electronic publication.
-
Today I head back to the ranch to pack everything up and move back to boondocking in remote communities. The move is likely to take me a few weeks before I can get back online.
-
Hello everyone, hope you are all well. I saw this video on youtube today from a man who claims to be a millionaire about how he sold books on Amazon. I thought it was apropos to what Jeff wanted to do (or at least what the forum has suggested). The presentation seemed clear and useful. Jeff if you get a chance to watch, he is using blank books (planners) for sales which is very easy, but I believe the template idea is the same for any book. He reported 25$ of sales a week over expenses for Amazon as a passive income idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhY8Lh-BzII
-David
-
Thanks, David, once I am done with the move, which could take months, then I plan to get back to completing several book projects and sell them via electronic publishing. My decline in health starting 13 years ago has hampered my finances and given me little resources or vitality to pursue anything, but hopefully that will all change soon. I hope to get back to the ranch today or tomorrow.
-
I suddenly have to move from the ranch that I have been caretaking for the last 3 summers. I have 3 vehicles and a 40ft shipping container to move in a short time. Heavy equipment transport will be needed, which is $1,800 per piece of equipment. If anyone is interested in helping fund this project, then please click the link help fund the move (https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8UPRIZ7LYq)
-
I've had the runaround from the forest service for 2 weeks. So, I have been boondocking in Flagstaff the whole time. Last Tuesday I saw the federal judge. We agreed upon a workable plan, but the rangers gave me 5 more days of runaround. Meanwhile managing my PTSD and anxiety was getting more difficult every day. I just received a phone call from the protection ranger in charge. He gave me the go-ahead to start, so I'll be offline for a week or so until I'm done.
-
Good luck Jeff and see you when you return! From studying the lives of various targeted individuals I've noticed that the chaos tends to increase during transit states like you are describing. For example when I went to Paris in 2021 I was accused of having a knife in my bag by the TSA and was set aside for a search and on my return from Paris my airline lost my checked baggage and it took several days after return to locate it and retrieve it.
-David
-
Good luck Jeff and see you when you return! From studying the lives of various targeted individuals I've noticed that the chaos tends to increase during transit states like you are describing. For example when I went to Paris in 2021 I was accused of having a knife in my bag by the TSA and was set aside for a search and on my return from Paris my airline lost my checked baggage and it took several days after return to locate it and retrieve it.
-David
Thanks, David, I'm currently camped at a high point and using my cellphone as a hot spot to communicate to the web. I expect this move is going to occupy me for the remainder of the week. At my age and decrepitude I don't expect to do much more camping, so I expect to be online daily soon.
-
Jeff I don't know if you recall but when I visited you in Arizona in 2009(?) strange things also happened around my arrival and departure which fit this model. Upon my arrival my baggage was lost and we had to drive from Tuscon to Phoenix to pick it up, also we almost missed my flight out because when we went to the gas station to attempt to get gas the attendant 'refused' to fuel the pump. I recall you went in several times then took your card back and went to a different station. I had never seen this sort of reaction in my life from a person and I also puzzled over it until I started being targeted myself in 2018 myself. Just an interesting bit of nostalgia!
-David
-
This is a shoutout for Jhanananda and anybody else lurking the past few months.
Is everyone alright? Making sure the forum didn't just randomly lose everyone. Im assuming everyone is just dealing with the struggles of life at this time.
Jhanananda I hope you are well, and I still worry about you so often.
Best Wishes
Rougeleader
-
Thank you, rougeleader115, for posting to this forum your kind thoughts and concerns. Yes, I am still on the planet, but the obstacles of living on the material plane have simply been overwhelming for me, and I expect it is for the rest of the members on this forum.
Life doesn't get easier because one becomes a mystic. If anything it becomes more difficult because becoming a mystic often requires making life choices that don't necessarily improve one's material culture, because as mystics we are shedding material culture.
My worsening autoimmune condition has not helped at all. I have had to become full-time researching solutions to my chronic health problems. I keep working on a paper to advance the mystical theory here, but become bogged down in material world essentials, such as 3 years of moving, plus worsening health due to my chronic autoimmune condition. Since seasonal migration and living in rural Arizona has been a successful survival strategy that I have employed for 50 years, and intensified 20 years ago; nonetheless, it is also an obstacle to making any progress on any of the other topics that I have to engage in, including getting medical advice from medical doctors. Today I finally have an appointment with a rheumatologist, which I should have had a relationship with decades ago.
-
Life does not seem to get easier for mystics. I am glad you are still with us. It is unfortunate you have to navigate so much to keep your body up and running. I wish I had more herbal knowledge to send or recommend you something that could help. I’ve been studying and taking a very intensive ethnobotanical class, and the best advice I’ve gotten is to revisit recipes in the Bible, Sumerian, Hindu, etc. religions that use herbs that we consider basic and everyday. Testing what ancient indigenous cultures used for those illnesses and finding the actual dosages and recipe combinations they used. I know most of us do that to some degree, but I have been mind blown by the absolutely tremendous amount of possible herbs, plants, fruits, roots, seeds, etc. that have such a long history and tradition around the healing potential of these plants.
I do know you know most if not all of this Jhanananda, I just wanted to state it in case there is something you might want to explore or revisit for yourself. I’m very glad you were able to get an appointment with a rheumatologist, and I really hope they can assist you. I need to do the same honestly instead of wait.
Best Wishes,
Rougeleader
-
Life does not seem to get easier for mystics. I am glad you are still with us. It is unfortunate you have to navigate so much to keep your body up and running. I wish I had more herbal knowledge to send or recommend you something that could help. I’ve been studying and taking a very intensive ethnobotanical class, and the best advice I’ve gotten is to revisit recipes in the Bible, Sumerian, Hindu, etc. religions that use herbs that we consider basic and everyday. Testing what ancient indigenous cultures used for those illnesses and finding the actual dosages and recipe combinations they used. I know most of us do that to some degree, but I have been mind blown by the absolutely tremendous amount of possible herbs, plants, fruits, roots, seeds, etc. that have such a long history and tradition around the healing potential of these plants.
I do know you know most if not all of this Jhanananda, I just wanted to state it in case there is something you might want to explore or revisit for yourself. I’m very glad you were able to get an appointment with a rheumatologist, and I really hope they can assist you. I need to do the same honestly instead of wait.
Best Wishes,
Rougeleader
I am so glad that you are studying herbal medicine. I have studied it for 50 years along with ethnomedicine and ethnobotony primarily to find a treatment for my autoimmune condition which western medical practice continues to fail to understand. When I was diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension I began to lose confidence in my many years of that study. I came to realize that many of the ideas that I had subscribed to worked to manage my autoimmune condition, but was not a cure. However, this year I started taking ephedra again, which is also known as Mormon tea, as you probably know. Ephedra is now also a controlled substance because drug dealers have been growing it and converting it to methadrene, so I had to forage it. I have been taking a 1/4 tsp of it every morning and it really is helping me, and I have come to realize that Mormon tea is one of the most effective herbs available. We can discuss this further if you wish under Health and Fitness.
-
Are they blocking ephedra stems again from being sold? I still have some in my pantry. I guess I should cherish it. I remember when it and THC used to be prohibited. I'm finding THC as a useful alternative to alcohol lately.
-David
-
Are they blocking ephedra stems again from being sold? I still have some in my pantry. I guess I should cherish it. I remember when it and THC used to be prohibited. I'm finding THC as a useful alternative to alcohol lately.
-David
It is my understanding that ephedra is a controlled substance. After my COPD diagnosis I went to grocery stores and health food stores and herb stores looking for it in a common herbal tea called "Breathe Easy." It has been off the market for years. I noticed that it is back under a different label but no longer contains ephedra. I am not sure what the Mormans do about acquiring Mormon Tea, because it is ephedra. It might be that we just have to look for "Morman Tea" if we want ephedra.
-
Last I heard, a few years ago the sale of extracts was banned since potent extracts caused complications for consumers in the past but the sale of the whole unprocessed herb such as plant stems was legal, that's what I was able to purchase. I sometimes add it to my coffee to give it an extra kick. Seems like it increases fat burning a bit.
-David
-
Interesting, David. I assume you are talking about ephedra. I walked into an herb store in Prescott and asked for it. They told me it was now controlled in Arizona, but I did not consider that Mormons would want Mormon tea, so they must have an avenue to acquire it. Anyway, I prefer harvesting my own in the wilderness.
A few days ago I was informed that my 38 year old son had died of a heart attack. It is a paternal congenital issue. So, I am sorry that I have not been able to get back here until now since finding out.
-
A few days ago I was informed that my 38 year old son had died of a heart attack. It is a paternal congenital issue. So, I am sorry that I have not been able to get back here until now since finding out.
I'm so sorry to hear about this, Jeffrey. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
-
My condolences Jeff, we are here if you need to talk.
-David
-
Thank you, Michael and David, for expressing your kind thoughts. Parents never get over the loss of a child, so I don't expect to do so, but I plan to just keep moving forward.
-
Condolences as well.
It is rough when children pass away before their parents.
-
Thanks, Tad. Material existence is characterized by suffering. If I suffer, then it is because I have craving and covetousness for the material world. Loved ones are perhaps the most difficult aspects of the material world not to have craving and covetousness for because we associate them with love. Love (piti) is an abstract internal experience that we associate with loved one in the material world, but loved ones come and go; whereas, love is something that exists beyond this world, because we have the most intense and transformational experiences of love as an interior religious experience. So, we spend our life in the interior pursuit of love. By making our life more about meditation, then we withdraw from the material world and become more interior. First comes the experience of interior love, then the interior experience of a still mind, which is even more blissful, then we keep pursuing the remaining ecstatic interior states until we die, then we remain in the infinite immaterial domains and never come back.
-
Thank you for continuing to give us guidance during this time. I’m sorry for your loss.
-
Thank you, rougeleader115, for expressing your kind support.
-
There are many beautiful things about the Out-of-Body experience. One of those is being able to make contact with loved ones who have passed on. All of yesterday I felt intense depression. Instead of trying to bury it under the ecstasies I just let it run its course. During last night's Out-of-Body Experiences I met up with my recently dead son. I was weeping and telling him I missed him. He consoled me by saying, "I am always with you, dad." I then woke up sobbing. A parent never gets over the death of their child.
-
There are many beautiful things about the Out-of-Body experience. One of those is being able to make contact with loved ones who have passed on. All of yesterday I felt intense depression. Instead of trying to bury it under the ecstasies I just let it run its course. During last night's Out-of-Body Experiences I met up with my recently dead son. I was weeping and telling him I missed him. He consoled me by saying, "I am always with you, dad." I then woke up sobbing. A parent never gets over the death of their child.
This is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, Jeffrey. I'm happy that you were able to connect with your son in the non-material world - it helps with navigating the suffering that exists in this world.
-
This is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, Jeffrey. I'm happy that you were able to connect with your son in the non-material world - it helps with navigating the suffering that exists in this world.
Thank you, Michael, yes the material world is a cruel, hellish domain. I just cannot understand the craving and covetousness that people have for this hell. But, being a mystic with access to the astral plane, then we can visit with our loved ones, and so many other beings beaming bliss, joy and ecstasy out to the infinite universe from the heavenly host.
-
Hi Jhanananda,
I wanted to check if you are still working on your book. I think it would be great to have the essence of this forum and GWV summarized in a single book.
-
Thanks for asking. Yes, my plan is to complete my book on the religious experience, but my decline in health 6 years ago has forced me to focus upon my health. So, now that I have fully recovered from COPD, which required a great deal of research, then I am now focused upon finalizing that research into book form, then I plan to return to completing the book that you have requested.
-
Two nights ago while out-of-body my son came to me and held me. We were surrounded by water.
He said, "Wake up dad."
I woke up and found my body had not been breathing for a while and was deeply depleted of oxygen due to sleep apnea, which is common for people who travel out-of-body, even though I was wearing a CPAP mask that had been modified to be a multi-gas Powered Air Purifying Respirator. It got me thinking that at 71 I shouldn't expect to live much longer, and death by sleep apnea during an OOBE is a pretty decent way to die.
-
Sorry folks, the forum was down for three days. The web host helped me get it up and running just now.